Hidden Gems: Parks California Staff Share Their Insider Tips
California’s state parks stretch from redwood forest to desert floor, coastline to alpine lake — proof that no two days here need to look the same. When it comes to finding a new favorite, we turn to the people who dedicate their days to caring for these special places.
Parks California Announces 2027 Board Leadership and Welcomes Two New Members
Parks California has announced new leadership for its board of directors, effective January 2027.
Beach Smart: Tips from California State Parks Lifeguards
Beach days are a great way to spend the longer, warmer days, but alongside your sunscreen and beach towel, don’t forget to bring a commitment to water safety.
Parks California Honored by California State Park and Recreation Commission for Advancing Access, Stewardship and Innovation
The California State Park and Recreation Commission honored Parks California with a proclamation recognizing the organization’s contributions to the California State Park System during its July 2 meeting at Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
Caring for California, One Conversation at a Time
On summer weekends, thousands of people gather along the South Yuba River, swimming in clear pools, hiking forest trails and soaking up one of California’s true natural treasures.
But the Yuba River is more than just a favorite spot. It’s one of California’s most important and storied rivers, full of life and history.
A 21st-Century Model for Field Trips Begins Before Students Arrive
For generations, field trips have sparked curiosity and helped students connect classroom lessons to the world around them. Today, California State Parks and our partners provide a modern, 21st-century model to make sure every student feels welcome and inspired by California’s natural wonders.
Parks California Opens Applications for 2027 Route to Parks Grants
California State Parks and nonprofit partner Parks California today invited community and tribal organizations throughout the state to apply for the 2027 Route to Parks grants. The program will award approximately $1.1 million to help more people in underserved communities experience California’s state parks, the largest and most diverse state park system in the nation.
Preserving Place in the Heart of Los Angeles
In the heart of Los Angeles, just a short walk from Chinatown and the downtown high rises, Los Angeles State Historic Park is a living story of movement, change and community. What we see today as a vibrant urban green space has been shaped over generations by people who cared for this land — from Indigenous stewardship and early agriculture to railroads, industry and passionate community advocacy.
California State Parks and Parks California Award $2.4M in Career Pathways Grants to Prepare Next Generation of Park Leaders
California State Parks and nonprofit partner Parks California today announced the award of more than $2.4 million to 13 community and tribal organizations across the state as part of the Career Pathways grants program.
Honoring Asian American and Pacific Islander History
At Angel Island, history is embedded in the landscape — in the arrivals, the waiting and the journeys that brought people across the Pacific. Cynthia Pu, an Angel Island State Park interpreter, helps share with visitors the lived experiences of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities whose resilience and hope have shaped both this special place and the story of California.